Greater Des Moines tourism creates nearly $2 billion economic impact

Wednesday, October 02, 2013 2:48 PM

The economic impact of tourism in Greater Des Moines in 2012 was $1.9 billion, according to a report by the Iowa Economic Development Authority.

That's about 5.5 percent more than in 2011. Polk County generated $1.7 billion and Dallas County generated $173 million. Polk County was the leader of all Iowa counties in domestic travel expenditures in 2012. The bureau said that travel expenditures created by Polk County produced 15,600 jobs.